Library Board Fundamentals

Depending on the ordinance or contract under which the library is established, the library board may have sole responsibility for the following tasks or share these responsibilities with a city council or county board. In New Mexico, the library board is usually advisory with the city or county reserving final authority for the budget, the personnel, and policymaking. A governing library board (sometimes called Trustees) may receive local, county, state, federal, and other funds and be accountable for their expenditure on library services. The governing board hires and evaluates the library director and ensures that appropriate materials, equipment, furniture and supplies are in the library.

Both governing and advisory boards monitor library services and plan for the future information needs of the community. Board members also actively represent the library in the community and bring the concerns of the community back to the full board to be addressed.